Cyclone-vault



(No Model.)

D. H. HANLON CYCLONE VAULT.

No. 603,948. Patented'May 10,1898.

C YCLO N EQVAU LT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 603,948, dated May. 10, 1898.

Application filed June 18,1897. 1

T at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL I-I. HANLON, of Preston, in the county of Fillmore and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cyclone-Vaults; and

no This invention relates to cyclone-vaults;

and it consists, essentially, of a strong metallic inclosure adapted to be embedded inthe ground and having doors or entrances with specific forms of catches, together with ventilating devices.

The invention further consists of the details of construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to construct a safe inclosure to protect individuals from cyclonic storms, the parts of the same being strong and durable and having means of access at different points which are shielded and protected.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a cyclone-vault embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the doors. gig. 4. is a reverse perspective view of said oor.

Referring to the drawings, wherein similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views, the numeral 1 designates opposite sides secured to ends 2,, and these in turn are flanged inwardly and attached to a bottom or floor 8. The device has atop covering formed by curving the upper portions of the ends 2 and extending the sides upwardly thereover, and in the center of the top is an elongated cupola 4.-, comprising end supports 5 and a top covering 6, having its ends extended down and riveted to the upper extended portions of the sides 1. The said cupola 4 forms an upper ventilating-chamber, and thereto are adj ustably attached screw-threaded ventilatingtubes 7, which may be extended upwardly bove thecupola at suitable distances and ..re held in position by inner adjacent ends 8 and outer set-nuts 9. The upper ends of Serial No. 641,235. (No model.)

the ventilating-tubes are curved and adapted to be turned in the direction aflording the best ventilating means or to prevent clogging by flying dust, which may be carried by a cyclonic storm.

All the parts of the device are securely riveted and made of metal, and around the sides is a reinforcing band 10 to give rigidity to the structure. In one end is a door-opening 11, havinga guard 12 surrounding the same and secured to the outer portion of the said end. The said guard consists of a piece of metal with an upper closed end and depending sides. Coacting with the said door-opening 11 is a hinged door 13, which opens inwardly into the vault. On one of the sides 1 a similar door-opening is formed having a hinged door in connection therewith and a guard. These guards protect the entrance to the vault and will prevent the collection of debris or sand at the said door-openings, which might prevent exit therethrough and also fall into the said vault when the said doors were open. The guards also provide means for clearing the debris or other material away from the entrances and are strongly supported by angle-plates 14. The doors 13 are provided with latches 15, which are pivoted thereto and have outer bent ends 1 6. The said latches engage keepers 17, consisting of verticallydisposed strips of metal with upper outwardlybent ends. To normally hold the said latches 15 in closed position, coiled springs 17 are attached thereto and to the lower portions of the doors. Adjacent to the said latches 15 eccentrics 18 are mounted and have screwthreaded bolts 19 passing therethrough and held in connection with the eccentrics by setscrews-20. To the outer ends of the bolts 19 operating-levers 21, of elongated form, are attached by suitable nuts, and the arrangement of these catches and eccentrics in the manner specified is for the purpose of quickly manipulating them from the exterior, and by moving the said levers 21 toward the free edges of the doors the latches 15 are released from the keepers and an entrance into the Vault thereby quickly attained.

The said vault is adapted to be located at a suitable distance from but preferably close to a dwelling house, and, if desired, the guards 12 may communicate with underground passages. This vault forms a safe means of refuge from the effects of cyclonic or other storms and is comparatively inexpensive in the cost of its manufacture.

It is obviously apparent that many minor changes in the details of construction and arrangement of the several parts might be made and substituted for those shown and described without in the least departing from the nature or spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. metallic vault having sides and ends and a metal floor, the said sides being extended upwardly to form the top, and an upper central ventilating-cupola of elongated form having its covering meeting the extension of the sides and secured thereto, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In a cyclone-vault, the combination of a metallic inclosing frame, an upper ventilating-cupola, and elongated screw threaded tubes adj ustably mounted in said cupola and having upper bent ends, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. A cyclone-vault constructed of metal and adapted to be embedded in the ground and having door-entrances with hinged doors coacting therewith, guards mounted over the said door-entrances, latches in connection with the doors adapted to be operated from the exterior, an upper ventilating elongated cupola, and ventilating tubes adjustably mounted in said cupola and having upper bent ends, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DANIEL H. HANLON.

Witnesses:

II. M. STRoUD, W. R. WELLS. 

